Connector



, Patented July 2, 1940 Elizabeth M. Ziemer, South Milwaukee, Wis., ac-Signor to Line Material Company, South Milwaukee, Wis..

a corporation of Delaware Application September 21, 1936, Serial No.101,755

, 14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in con- .nectors.

It is an objectof this invention to provide for a connector comprising athreaded bifurcated bolt and a nut threadable thereon. a nut retainerfreely removably mounted on the end of one of the bifurcations of thebolt forsupporting the nut in spaced relation to the bifurcated end ofthe bolt.

It is also an object of this invention to provide for a nut retainerpivotally mounted on the end of the connector bolt, means for holdingthe retainer in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative tothe bolt,whereby to receive the nutfrom the bolt, to support the nut ina position laterally offset therefrom. or to hold the retainer laterallyacross the bifurcated ehd of the bolt. when the nut has been threadedthereon.

A still further object is to provide an inexpensive retainer which canbe easily assembled on the connector and which will permit a-minimum ofinsulating tape to be wound about the connector when the latter isoperatively securing wires together. i

Other advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds. r

In the drawing:

, Fig. 1 is a view inside elevation, a portion being broken away toillustrate a preferred form of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the same device and taken at rightangles relativeto Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l'showing the connector as it appearsbefore engagement with Wires.

Fig. a is a fragmentary view in side elevation showing a modified formof this invention.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view in side elevation illustrating afurther modified form of 40ythe invention.

r Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged views which illustrate another modifiedform of this invention. 1 Like parts are identified by the samereference characters throughout the several views. The connector shownin Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, comprises a wire-receiving member orbifurcated bolt 2, a clamping jaw 5 movable between the bifurcations ofthe bolt, and a clamping nut 3 rotatable on the jaw" 5 and threadable onthe bifurcations of the bolt 2. The clamping jaw 5 is provided with ashank 5A extending through the not 3 and provided with lugs 53 extendinglaterally of the shank 5A and in parallel relatione ship to the clampingjaw 5, thereby retaining the 55 out 3 rotatably connected with theclamping jaw (or. 2mm) 5. As will be observed, the lugs 58 are shearedoutwardly from the shank 5A. r

One of the bifurcations of the bolt 2 is proor supporting memwhen thelatter is removed retainer I0 is plvotally supported by means of acotter pin 1 having a. shank portion which extends longitudinally intothe bifurcations of the bolt 2 and frictionally engages the walls of theaperture. When it is desired to remove the retainer Hi from the bolt, itis only necessary to pull the cotter pin 1 from the aperture. 16

The retainer ll may be moved. so that it extends laterally to one sideof the bolt 2 as shown in Fig. 3 or it maybe moved toa positionextending laterally across the end of the bolt 2. A spring 6 is mountedon the cotter pin 1 and engages the pivoted end of the retainer II withillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3. inclusive, is operated in thefollowing manner:

The connector is normally supplied in its assembled relationship as tothe bolt 2 as illustrated in Fig. be mounted on a line conductor 4,shown in Figs. 1 and 2, after which the retainer III will be swungdownwardly on the cotter pin until it reaches a position suchasillustrated in Fig. 1. The nut 3 will then be. moved upwardly forengagement with the threads onthe bolt 2 and a lead-off wire I may thenbeinserted into the slot 8. Obviously, further rotation of the nut 3onto the bolt 2 will cause the jaw 5. to clampingly engage the lead-offwire 4' and secure it in contact with the line conductor or wire 4. Assoonas the connector has been thus rendered operative for securing wirestogether, the retainer I! may be removed from the connector by merelypulling the cotter pin out of its aperture in the bolt.

If it is preferred not to remove the retainer In, it may be moved aboutits pivot to a position extending laterally across the end of the bolt2. Insulating tape may then be wound about the connector and theretainer to cover all live parts of the structure.

.In Fig. 4, the nut retainer comprises a cotter pin ll. plvotallymounted on the cotter pin 1 and having its ends bent laterally inopposite directions to provide nut-engaging ears HA. These an aperturein one of 10.

- extending laterally across.

bent to provide to receive the legs I! of ears HA serve the same purposeas the ears shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive.

I Fig. shows a structure which appears to be somewhat similar to thatillustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive. However, in Figs. 1 to 3.inclusive, the veye of the cotter pin 1 is substantially circular,whereas, in Fig. 5, the eye of the cotter pin is preferably ellipticalin shape so'that its major axis extends in a transverse directionrelative to the bolt 2 and its minor axis extendstin a directionlongitudinally relative to the bolt. 2. Thus, when the retainer III ispositioned as shown in Fig." 5, the eye of the'cotter pin 1 will tendto, hold the retainer It in that position due to the fact that theportion major axis of the eye of the cotter pin. Whenthe retainer to ismoved to a position extending laterally from the bolt 2, the previouslynoted dimension of the portion 2| will coincide with the major axis ofthe eye of the cotter pin and will support the retainer in the positionillustrated in broken lines. Thus, we find that Fig. 5 illustrates amodified form which dispenses with the spring 6 shown in Figs. 1 to 3,inclusive.

In Figs. 6 and 7, the retainer comprises a wire nut-engaging ears l6,relatively parallel legs II extending therefrom, and pivot fingers llextending into an aperture or hole l5 bored laterally of the boltcomprising a pivot bearing for the fingers I. As shown, the hole l5 1 isdisposed in the shouldered end l8 of one of the bifurcations, acorresponding shouldered end I! being provided upon the otherbifurcation of the bolt 2 and adapted to be received between the legs llof the retainer. Preferably, the shouldered end l9 frictionally engagesthe legs H to thereby hold the retainer in the position illustrated inFigs. 6 and 7.

As clearly shown in Fig. 6, the shouldered end I8 is provided with slotsor grooves 22 extending longitudinally relative to the bolt 2 andadapted the retainer. These slots 22 register with the hole I5 and areadapted to hold the retainer in an extended position downwardly relativeto Fig. 6.

Lug it is also provided with slots or grooves 23 the lug and radiallyfrom the aperture l5. These slots 23 are adapted to receive the legs I!of the retainer when the latter is moved to a position extendinglaterally from the bolt 2.

As shown in Fig. 'I, the shank 5A of the clamping jaw may be providedwith laterally extendin slots 24 adapted to receive the legs ll of theretainer, if the shank SA has not been moved sufficient distance intothe slot 8 of the bolt to clear the retainer when the latter extendsacross the end of the bolt.

If it is desired, the retainer illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7 may beremoved from the bolt by merely springing the legs apart to remove thefingers ll from the aperture l5. Obviously, the connector may be tapedwith the retainer in the position illustrated in Figs. 6 and l, or withthe retainer removed as previously indicated.

' One of the reasons for providing either the spring 6 shown in Figs. 1to 3, inclusive, the snapping arrangement for the retainer illustratedin dimension of the Fig. 5, or the frictional engagement of the retainerby the shouldered end I9 as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, is to hold theretainer in substantially perfect contact with the part upon which it ispivoted, thereby avoiding possible radio inter- 2| of the retainer issubstantially the same dimension vertically as the ferences which may becaused if the retainer has not been removed from the connector or hasnot been adequately covered by tape in case it is not removed from theconnector.

From the foregoing description and the drawing, it will be apparent thatI have provided for connectors a. retainer which is readily removablefrom the connector, which terferences, which will be securely held inany one of a plurality of positions selected by the operator, which isinexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble, and which will permit aminimum of insulating tape to be used in covering the connector and allof its associated parts.

I claim: I l

In combination with a connector comprising a threaded bifurcated bolt, aclamping jaw movable-between the bifurcations of said bolt, and a nutrotatably secured on said jaw and threadable on saidbolt; a supportremovably-mounted on the end ofjone of said bifurcations and including anut retainer pivotally mounted on said support and adapted to receiveand support the nut and jaw, and releasable holding means interactingbetween said bolt and retainer for holding said retainer in any "one ofa plurality of positions angularly relative to the bolt.

2. In combination with a connector comprising will cause no radio in;

a threaded bifurcated bolt, a clamping jaw mov- I able between thebifurcations of said bolt, and a nut rotatably secured on said jaw andthreadable on said bolt; a support mounted on the end of one of saidbifurcations and including a nut retainer pivotally mounted onisaidsupport and adapted to receive and support the nut and jaw, andreleasable holding means interacting between said bolt and retainer forholding said retainer in any one of a plurality of positions angularlyrelative to the bolt.

3. In combination with a connector comprising a bifurcated member havingat one end of one of its bifurcations an aperture comprising a pivotbearing transversely thereof, a movable clamping jaw including a shankprovided with spaced slots, a clamping nut rotatably mounted on saidshank and threadedly engaged with said member for eifecting longitudinalmovement of said movable jaw relative to said member; of a retainingmeans having spaced legs and nut-engaging ears. said legs being turnedinwardly at their ends to provide pivots, said pivots being mounted insaid apertures, thereby facilitating lateral movement of said retainerrelative to said member, said legs being receivable in said slots whensaid nut is in a clamping position.

4. In combination with a connector comprising a bifurcated member havinga lug atone end of one of its bifurcations and being provided with apivot bearing transversely thereof, said lug being provided with groovescut at substantiallyright angles to each other, a movable clamping jawhaving a shank provided with spaced slots and a clamping nut rotatablymounted on said shank and threadedly engaged with said member; of aretainer comprising a wire bent to provide nutsupporting ears and legsreceivable in said grooves and removably pivoted in said bearings,whereby said retainer may be removably held in any one of a plurality ofpositions, said legs being receivable in said spaced slots in saidshank.

5. In combination with a connector comprising a threaded bifurcatedbolt, a. clamping jaw movable between the bifurcations of said bolt, anda nut rotatably secured to said jaw, one of said bifurcations having anaperture in the end Q ing a threaded bifurcated bolt, 2.

thereof) of a cotter pin having a shank portion removably held in saidaperture and provided with an eye, and a retainer having an apertureproviding a pivot portion pivotally mounted in said eye, said retainerhaving nut-supporting means.

6. In combination with a connector comprising a. threaded bifurcatedbolt, a clamping jaw movable between the bifurcations of said bolt, and2.

thereof; of a cotter pinremovably held in said aperture, a retainerpivotally mounted on said having nut-supporting means, and

retainer adapted to hold said retainer in any one of a plurality ofpositions angularly relative to said bolt.

in any one of a. plurality of relative to said aperture.

10. In combination positions angularly

